Wallabies leader locked in for surgery, as dropped rookie plots return

Wallabies skipper Liam Wright has been locked in for surgery after a troublesome shoulder injury that failed to recover in time for the Spring Tour cruelled his international comeback.

The Queensland Reds co-captain made a triumphant return to the Australian fold, ending a four-year hiatus in the Test arena, to lead coach Joe Schmidt’s side to victory against Wales.

However in the fallout, it was revealed the 26-year-old suffered his eighth major injury in six years – an issue that had mystified doctors. 

Liam Wright returned to the Wallabies’ fold as captain in the first Test against Wales this year.Credit: Getty

Wright is expected to have a full reconstruction on Monday in Sydney, having endured a frustrating rehabilitation in which complications and an “innocuous clean out” at training exposed further concerns.

Queensland coach Les Kiss – speaking to this masthead as the Reds set off for Japan to take on Saitama Wild Knights on November 4 – admitted it had been a “tough time” for his inspirational flanker.

“As a man of character and resilience, if there’s anyone you back to be able to do the job again, to get it right, it’s him,” Kiss said.

“He was really looking forward to the Spring Tour, and if not, then joining the A team afterwards. Now is the time for him to go and get the job that’s needed on it [his shoulder], and I daresay by the first game of the year, he may be available again.”

Kiss’ touring side will feature a host of names who will then depart for Europe to link up with Schmidt and his national squads.

However, former Wallabies’ winger Suliasi Vunivalu will not be in Japan, nor has he been selected in the Test or Australia XV squads.

While contracted for 2025, it is understood he is exploring his options, however no decision on his future has been made. Instead, the Wild Knights clash will present an opportunity for fellow flyer Matt Brice, who captured attention at Reds training after impressing with the Noosa Dolphins.

But Kiss’ outfit will boast five-eighth Tom Lynagh, who was not chosen for the Wallabies, despite earning his first four caps this year.

Suliasi Vunivalu scores a try against France in a World Cup warm-up match in August last year.Credit: AP

The 21-year-old was replaced by Waratahs No.10 Tane Edmed but was chosen in the Australia XV, along with fellow Reds playmaker Harry McLaughlin-Phillips.

However, Kiss was adamant the disappointment would not prove Lynagh’s undoing, having blossomed working alongside outgoing star James O’Connor. 

“Tommy’s just relishing the opportunity to get out there and play some footy, that’s for sure. There’s no doubt he’s going to bring some qualities back, and some of those qualities are around the areas of ‘I’m good enough’,” Kiss said.

“The things they [Lynagh and McLaughlin-Phillips] learnt from James was unbelievable, and you can see that coming through in their training now, and in a way, that blue sky’s opened up and they have to take that step forward now.

“There are a couple of blokes in the same boat – Josh Nasser is another one – but they know they’ve got an opportunity to get some game time, and that’s the key thing they’ve looked at.”

QUEENSLAND REDS TOUR SQUAD VS WILD KNIGHTS

BACKS

Louis Werchon, Kalani Thomas, Will Cartwright, Harry McLaughlin-Phillips (Australia XV), Tom Lynagh (Australia XV), Heremaia Murray, Matt Brice, Dre Pakeho, Frankie Goldsbrough, Floyd Aubrey, Shaun Anderson, Sebastian Hanna, Mason Gordon

FORWARDS

Alex Hodgman, Sef Fa’agase, Matt Gibbon, Josh Nasser (Australia XV), Richie Asiata, George Blake, Massimo De Lutiis (Australia XV), Jeffery Toomaga-Allen, Ryan Smith (Australia XV), Connor Vest, Josh Canham (Australia XV), Taine Roiri, Kohan Herbert, Max Craig, Joe Brial (Australia XV), Hamish Muller

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